Amnesty International delegation on working visit to occupied territories of Western Sahara

Occupied El Aaiún, June 11, 2014 (SPS) - An Amnesty International delegation paid a working visit to the occupied territories of Western Sahara and held a meeting on Monday with the Sahrawi Association of Victims of Grave Violations of Human Rights Committed by the Moroccan State (ASVDH), according to Sahrawi human rights sources.
 
Speaking on this occasion, Mrs. El Ghalia Djimi highlighted the importance of the fact that impunity encourages the Moroccan torturers to commit even more human rights violations against the Saharawi people who take to the streets to demand their fundamental rights. She also talked about the severe restrictions on the freedom of association,   by presenting the case of ASVDH, which is still deprived of opening a local office to provide a framework for and organize the people.
 
As regards complaints, Mrs. Djimi confirmed that the Moroccan authorities have not yet taken them into account and have not conducted any investigations.
 
Mrs. El Ghalia urged Amnesty International to put pressure on Morocco to meet its international obligations with respect to human rights, to ensure accountability for human rights violations in the occupied territories and to act in accordance with universal principles.
 
The meeting was attended on the part of Amnesty International  Avner Gidron, chief political adviser of the Organisation and Sirine Rached, the responsible for the Middle East and North Africa Section, and on the part of ASVDH by El Ghalia Djimi, Vice-President, the member of the Executive Board Mohamed Mayara and  Hassana Duihi, Leila Lili and Dafa Dah. (SPS)